Cell City: Metabolism Model Challenge
Created byMs. Collins
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Cell City: Metabolism Model Challenge

Grade 6Science5 days
The 'Cell City: Metabolism Model Challenge' is a Grade 6 science project that invites students to explore cellular functions by creating a model city that mirrors the operations of a living cell. Students engage in activities like mapping cell organelles to city elements, modeling cellular respiration, and constructing 3D city models to exhibit these parallels. Through this project, students enhance their understanding of metabolism and cellular respiration, develop critical thinking, and refine their presentation skills by showcasing their models and the related biological concepts.
Cellular RespirationMetabolismCell FunctionsModel BuildingCritical ThinkingScience Communication
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we build a city model that shows how a cell works, like how it uses energy and gets rid of waste, similar to parts of a city?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What does a cell do, especially when using energy (metabolism)?
  • What parts of a cell work together, just like parts of a city?
  • What is cellular respiration and why do cells need it to live?
  • How can we say that cell parts are like city parts such as power plants or trash bins?
  • How do cells change energy so they can do important things?
  • How does knowing how cells work help us keep our body and our world healthy?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the main functions of a cell, particularly in the context of metabolism and cellular respiration.
  • Demonstrate the ability to create models that accurately represent biological concepts.
  • Draw parallels between cellular organelles and city elements to understand cell functions.
  • Explain the process and importance of cellular respiration in organisms.
  • Develop critical thinking by comparing and contrasting cell and city element functions.
  • Present a comprehensive model that reflects the parallels between city infrastructure and cell functions.

Next Generation Science Standards

MS-LS1-5
Primary
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.Reason: This standard aligns with explaining how cells function similarly to city elements, particularly in understanding growth and metabolism.
MS-LS1-7
Primary
Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.Reason: Directly aligns with students developing a model representing cellular respiration and metabolism in cell functions.
MS-LS1-2
Primary
Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and how parts of cells contribute to the function.Reason: This standard supports the project goal of creating city models to parallel cellular functions with metabolism and respiration.

Common Core State Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.4
Secondary
Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.Reason: The project requires students to present their models and findings clearly and logically, akin to this communication standard.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Energy Crisis Simulation

An urgent broadcast kicks off the event, calling students to address the impending energy crisis affecting their 'city.' They must apply their understanding of cellular respiration to propose innovative solutions for sustainable energy usage, integrating the function of cellular components in their models.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

City-Cell Conceptualizer

Students begin by exploring the basic functions and structures of cells. They map cell organelles to city elements, laying the groundwork for their city model project.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Begin with a class discussion on what cells do and their basic structures.
2. Use a worksheet to visually match cell organelles to corresponding city elements (e.g., mitochondria to power plants).
3. Have students label and describe these matches in their science journals.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed worksheet and preliminary concept map connecting cell organelles to city features.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with MS-LS1-5 and MS-LS1-2 by helping students understand cell functions and their parallels to city components.
Activity 2

Modeling Metabolism

Students delve deeper into cellular respiration, using diagrams to illustrate how energy transfer in cells can be mirrored by energy flows in a city.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce cellular respiration through an interactive video or simulation.
2. Guide students through a diagram showing the steps of cellular respiration.
3. Students create and annotate their own simplified diagram of cellular respiration, noting city parallels (e.g., mitochondria as power grids).

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn annotated cellular respiration diagram highlighting city analogies.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with MS-LS1-7 and MS-LS1-2 by developing an understanding of energy transfers through cellular respiration and city parallels.
Activity 3

3D Model Creator

Students bring their blueprints to life by building a 3D city model that functions like a living cell, incorporating lessons from metabolism and respiration.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Gather materials such as cardboard, clay, or digital tools like 3D modeling software.
2. Use the city blueprint to construct the city model, ensuring to replicate structures from the blueprint accurately.
3. Incorporate moving parts if possible, such as gears to represent energy flow, to enhance understanding of cell dynamics.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA physical or digital 3D city model that demonstrates the dynamic processes of a cell.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports MS-LS1-2 and MS-LS1-7, emphasizing understanding through the creation of a functional model mirroring cellular processes.
Activity 4

Organism Energy Presenters

Students conclude by presenting their city models, explaining the parallels to cellular respiration and energy use within cells, practicing clear communication strategies.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Prepare a presentation outlining the key features of their model and the cellular functions it represents.
2. Rehearse the presentation with a partner, focusing on clear communication techniques such as adequate volume and eye contact.
3. Deliver the presentation to the class, receiving feedback on both content and delivery.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA class presentation of the city model, complete with explanations of cellular parallels.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.4, reinforcing communication skills and MS-LS1-2 by explaining and justifying their model dynamics.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Cell City Project Rubric

Category 1

Understanding and Application of Cell Functions

Assesses students' comprehension and application of cell functions, metabolism, and respiration.
Criterion 1

Cell Function Mapping

Ability to accurately map cell organelles to city functions, demonstrating understanding of cellular structures and processes.

Exemplary
4 Points

Accurately and innovatively maps all major cell organelles to city functions with detailed explanations of their roles in cellular metabolism and respiration.

Proficient
3 Points

Correctly maps most cell organelles to city functions with clear explanations of their involvement in cellular metabolism and respiration.

Developing
2 Points

Maps some cell organelles to city functions, provides partial explanations of their roles in cellular processes.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to map cell organelles to city functions and provides incomplete explanations of cellular processes.

Criterion 2

Energy Flow Representation

Demonstrates understanding of cellular respiration and energy flow within cells through creative analogies and diagrams.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents a nuanced and comprehensive diagram that accurately represents energy flow in cell metabolism, using creative and scientifically sound analogies.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops a clear and accurate diagram representing energy flow, with sound analogies connecting cellular and city structures.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to create a diagram with some representation of energy flow, using basic analogies.

Beginning
1 Points

Produces an incomplete or incorrect diagram, struggling to use analogies effectively.

Category 2

Model Construction and Dynamics

Evaluates the construction of the city model to ensure it accurately reflects cellular processes and dynamics.
Criterion 1

3D Model Design

Quality and accuracy of the 3D city model in reflecting cell functions and mechanics.

Exemplary
4 Points

Constructs a highly detailed and functional 3D model, effectively integrating dynamic components to represent cellular processes.

Proficient
3 Points

Builds a complete 3D model that accurately reflects key cellular functions, with minor dynamic elements.

Developing
2 Points

Creates a basic 3D model showing some cellular functions with limited accuracy or detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Produces an incomplete model that poorly reflects cellular functions or dynamics.

Category 3

Communication and Presentation Skills

Assesses ability to present scientific information clearly and effectively, using appropriate communication techniques.
Criterion 1

Presentation Clarity

Effectiveness in clearly and logically presenting the model, its components, and cellular parallels.

Exemplary
4 Points

Delivers a highly engaging presentation with clear, logical explanations of the model's components and cellular parallels, exhibiting strong communication skills.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a clear presentation with logical explanations and effective communication of the model and cellular parallels.

Developing
2 Points

Gives a presentation with some logical order, but lacks depth in explaining the model and cellular parallels.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to deliver a coherent presentation, with unclear explanations and weak communication of the model's relevance.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how creating a city model helped you understand the functions of a cell, particularly in relation to metabolism and cellular respiration.

Text
Required
Question 2

How well do you feel you understand the parallels between city infrastructure and cell organelles after completing this project?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which part of the project did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome it?

Text
Required
Question 4

Select the cellular function you found most interesting to explore during this project and explain why.

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Metabolism
Energy conversion
Waste disposal
Cell structure analogy
Question 5

How do you think this project will help you in understanding real-life applications of science and technology?

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Optional